Appeals court throws out NC insurance magnate’s convictions
AP-US-Big-Donor-North-Carolina

Jun 29, 2022 3:30 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal appeals court has thrown out the 2020 conspiracy and bribery convictions of a former major political donor in North Carolina and his associate. A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the convictions and ordered new trials for Greg E. Lindberg and John D. Gray. The appeals court declared that the trial judge erred in his jury instructions to the point that it called the verdicts into question. Lindberg is a wealthy insurance and investment firm founder accused by federal investigators of attempting to bribe North Carolina’s insurance commissioner to secure preferential regulatory treatment for his business.

Republicans pitch taking gov’s power from NC education board
AP-NC-XGR–Board of Education

Jun 29, 2022 12:05 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina House Republicans are seeking a constitutional amendment that would significantly remove the governor’s powers to choose members of the State Board of Education. A House committee voted Wednesday for legislation that would largely eliminate in most cases the governor’s ability to appoint 11 of the board’s 13 members. The legislation would put an amendment question on the ballot this November that if approved would have nearly all board members elected by the public. A bill sponsor says the change would give parents greater influence over their children’s education. Critics say it could harm minority representation on the board.

Bill forcing NC sheriffs to aid immigration agents revived
AP-NC-XGR–Sheriffs-ICE, 1st Ld-Writethru

Jun 28, 2022 10:36 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republican lawmakers are attempting again to advance a measure that would require North Carolina’s sheriffs to learn the immigration status of their jails’ inmates and assist federal agents who want to detain them. A House judiciary committee voted Tuesday for a measure that was approved by the Senate in March 2021. It’s only slightly different from a 2019 measure that Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper successfully vetoed. The measure is a GOP response to Democratic sheriffs in several urban counties who’ve decided not to work closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Critics say the bill takes away sheriffs’ authority and could harm immigrant communities.

NC GOP unveils budget; House backs Medicaid expansion path
AP-NC-XGR–State Budget, 1st Ld-Writethru

Jun 28, 2022 8:33 PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislators have unveiled budget adjustments for the coming year that lack additional tax cuts but set aside billions for construction, savings and inflation. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger announced late Tuesday a budget agreement that will be voted on later this week before it heads to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk. The measure adjusts the second year of a two-year budget already in place and reflects expectations that state coffers will take in $6.2 billion more than anticipated. It’s unclear whether Cooper will accept or veto the legislation. The House separately Tuesday passed legislation that traces a pathway to Medicaid expansion.